Brick recreation director put fees in his own pocket, forged permits, prosecutor says

TOMS RIVER - The Brick Township director of recreation has been charged after using funds for himself instead of depositing them into township accounts, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Police Chief David Forrester announced Thursday.

Daniel Santaniello, 46, of Brick, was charged with theft and uttering a forged instrument relative to his position as director of recreation for the township, authorities said.

These charges are the result of a joint investigation. As part of his job, Santaniello issued permits to private organizations to use the township’s recreational facilities, including the township’s various softball fields, Billhimer said. Private organizations that wanted to use the fields were charged fees.

The investigation revealed that Santaniello required certain organizations wishing to use the township’s fields to pay him directly in cash, rather than issuing checks to the township, the prosecutor said. Instead of depositing the cash into the township’s accounts, Santaniello kept the money for himself. In order to conceal his theft, he provided the private organizations who paid him in cash with fraudulent permits.

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On July 17, Santaniello was taken into custody at his residence without incident, Billhimer said. He was processed and served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Billhimer said anyone with additional information concerning Santaniello’s conduct should contact Detective Joseph Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad at 732-929-2027, extension 3532, or Lieutenant Paul Catalina of the Brick Township Police Department at 732-262-1100.

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com